Posted on 06/06/2005 11:14:30 AM PDT by Wiz
MUSAYYIB, Iraq (Reuters) - Iraqi security forces said on Monday they had driven some insurgents out of Baghdad to towns south of the capital and now hoped to capture them there before they could regroup.
Security officials said Operation Lightning, described as the biggest offensive since the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003, had pushed guerrillas into an area known as the "triangle of death" because of its high rate of insurgent attacks.
"There's a security vacuum in this area, we must fill it to prevent terrorists from operating inside Baghdad. This must be done while the operation is continuing in the city," said Colonel Hamed Elwan, head of the police station in Musayyib, 60 km (40 miles) south of Baghdad.
Iraq's new government has come under mounting pressure to improve security since it was formed in late April. Insurgents have stepped up attacks, killing more than 800 members of the security forces, officials and civilians since then.
Operation Lightning, which officials say involves 40,000 police and troops, is designed to capture rebels in Baghdad or drive them out. Officials say 887 guerrillas have been detained so far.
But reporters and photographers touring the capital have seen no substantial new troop deployments or checkpoints. Ordinary Iraqis, desperate for stability, have mixed views on the operation's chances of success.
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.co.in ...
887 detained. How many killed?
ping
No news of that yet but at least some during the operation. This operation is not something like the raids in Falluja or Qaim.
In addition around 100 criminals have been captured in Baghdad, probably non-terrorist related criminals.
This seems to have slowed the VIBES down a lot. Now just keep them off balance... BOOM, KILL, CAPTURE..
I am not certain about the VBIED but regarding the casualty data, it has been very low in recent days. Just before the operation in Baghdad began, there were many IEDs that have caused death of many people including the military in the capitol. However, after the operation began, it has declined dramatically.
Oops, sorry. Somehow my eyes interpreted VIBES as VBIEDs. Bad habit.
The sound of 887 canaries singing is music to my ears.
Excellent!
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